Apparatus for embedding simultaneously a plurality of tissues for histological purposes



March 16, 1948. J. TANNENBERG 2,437,713

APPARATUS FOR EMBEDDING SIMULTANEOUSLY`-A PLURALITY OF TISSUES FOR HISTOLOGICAL PURPOSES Filed Feb. 20, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l www@ rch 16,

1948.` J. TANNENBx-:RG 2,437,713 APPARATUS FOR EMBEDDING SIMULTNEOUSLY A PLURALITY OF TISSUES FOR HISTOLOGICAL PURPOSES Filed Feb. 20, 194.5.` 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f Iim al I l L MM mwlxllll'l I N V EN TOR. JOSEPH TNNENE'G.

Patented ar. 16, 1948 STATES PATENT OFFICE Joseph Tannenberg, Batavia, N. Y.

Application February 20, 1945, Serial No. 578,903

Claims. l

This invention relates to an apparatus for embeddingr tissue specimens or similar biological material in blocks of paraffin or other appropriate mass and for preparing such blocks for biological and similar purposes.

The expression tissue blocks employed in the following specifications and claims is to be understood to designate paraffin blocks or blocks of similar mass having embedded therein tissue specimens of organic bodies.

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide means for simultaneously producing a plurality of tissue blocks each containing one or several pieces of tissue oi' the same or different sizes for microscopic examination.

It is another object of this invention to provide means for facilitating the embedding process of tissue specimens in blocks Without handling, displacing or moving said tissues singly or separately during the entire course of such process, thereby eiectively avoiding any confusion or miXup of the tissue specimens of similar structure simultaneously subjected to the embedding process.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in an apparatus of the aforesaid nature means for forming a plurality of compartments, the latter being interchangeable and may be differently grouped to one another in accordance with the dimensions of tissues to be incorporated in said tissue blocks.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide means for receiving tissue specimens of the body to be examined, said means being disposed in an apparatus consisting of elements which may be easily and readily assembled to obtain a compact device.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide means having perforations which may be obstructed or opened at will and in accordance with steps in the course of the process for producing tissue blocks.

Still another object of the invention is to provide indicating means for the purpose of identifying the respective tissue blocks upon removal of said blocks from the aforesaid apparatus.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means which fulfills a dual purpose, namely, to firmly hold together the walls of the apparatus in assembled condition and also to regulate or to obstruct the passage of liquid through the aforesaid perforations which are employed in the course of the process for preparing said tissue blocks.

Yet, another object of the invention is to provide means for preventing any confusion or mis.-V

takes as regards the individual tissue blocks which always remain in the respective compartments Iwhile a plurality of tissue blocks -is simultaneously prepared.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent as the description of the invention proceeds and also from the attached drawings, in which: y

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment ofthe invention in the form of an apparatus in assembled condition, shown in perspective, parts being Ibroken away to expose to view the interior of said apparatus. y

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 show various parts of which the apparatus consists, which is illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 shows semi-diagrammatically a clamp form to be used for maintaining the apparatus of Fig. 1 in assembled condition.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FigQl held in assembled condition and placed in a tank employed in this invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an element or carrier holding a tissue sample.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an element (similar to that of Fig. 7) in somewhat modified form, carrying a paraiiin block with a tissue sample.

Fig. 9 sho'ws in perspective a parain block with a tissue sample after the block is removed from the carrier and before said block is subjected to a microtome.

In order to provide for finely and thinly cut tissue specimens or sections to be examined microscopically or for similar purposes, the particular tissue sample was heretofore embedded or incorporated in celloidin or paraffin blocks. A block of this type was then subjected to a microtome for cutting the block in sections or specimens having a thickness of 0.001 mm. to 0.005 mm. or one or several micra (1 micron=1/1ooo of one mm.) for microscopic studies and examinations.

Prior to the embedding of the tissue sample, the same has rst to be' dehydrated by submerging it for some time in several (changes) containers lfilled with alcohol of increasing concentration (percentages) and then by treating said tissue sample in benzene, Xylene or the like. Before the dehydrated tissue sample is subsequently incorporated or embedded in paraiiin of higher melting point, it is kept in a liquid paran bath Within an incubator at about C. for several hours. Dioxane in several changes mayalso be advantageously used for dehydration and clearing purposes prior to the embedding stage. The tissue sample usually has a length of 1 cm. to 2 cm., a width of 1 om. to 1.5 cm. and a thickness of 0.2 cm. to 0.3 cm. After the liquid parafn has penetrated the sample, a block of paraflin was then obtained by placing such prepared tissue sample in a paper container, into which was poured suicient melted parain to provide a block which in turn was quickly solidied by bringing the same in contact with ice water.

The present invention contemplates an apparatus which is capable of producing a plurality of blocks during the course of the process just indicated, each block having embedded the same or different types of tissue sample.

To this end, the apparatus comprises various parts forming, when in assembled condition, a substantially rectangularly shaped container I il. As seen in Fig. 1, container I consists of part II (Fig. 2), part I2 (Fig. 3)l and of part I3 (Fig. 4).

Apparatus part II includes the side wall`|4 and the lower bottom wall I5 extending in a substantially right angle to one another and being made either integral or connected with one another in' any appropriate manner. Side wall I 4is provided with two rows of apertures I 4a, |4b, and has further the upper series of recesses I6, and the lower series of recesses I'I for a purpose hereinafter more fully described. V

Apparatus part I2 consists of end wall I8 and upper bottom wall I9, the latter being smaller in width than lower bottom wall I5. End wall I8 extends at a substantially right angle to upper bottom wall I9 and is formed integrally therewith.

Apparatus part I3 comprises end wall 20 and side wall 2|, said walls being also disposed at a right angle to one another. Side wall 2| is provided with an upper row of perforations or apertures 2Ia and a lower row of apertures 2| b passing through said wall 2I and being disposed similarly to those penetrating side wall I4.

Apparatus part I3 further possesses a series of upper recesses 22 and a series of lower recesses 23, said recesses being, respectively, provided on the inner face 24 of side wall 2| and extend in similar manner (same level and in equal distance) as recesses I6, I'I provided on inner face 25 of side wall I4.

As can be realized from Figs. 1 and 4, part I3 has the extension 20a which, in assembled condition of container I0, ttingly abuts against one end of lower bottom or base wall I5 while upper bottom wall I9 comes to lie between inner faces 24 and 25 of side walls 2| and I4 and abuts against inner face 2S of end wall 20.

Bottom wall I9 is adapted to carry or hold a plurality of carrier elements, one of which being exemplified in Fig. 7 and being designated by numeral 30. Carrier 38 has a base plate 3| and a substantially upright plate 32, the latter angularly extending from one end of said base plate. Plate 32 has the pairs of lateral projections or tits 32a, and 32h to engage pairs of recesses I6, II and 22, 23, respectively, provided in side walls I4 and 2|. Carrier 30 is further equipped with a frame 33 for the insertion of an identification tab 34 in order to indicate and identify the tissue sample 35 placed on base plate 3 I.

At the lower part of upright plate 32 there is embossed or disposed in relief an indicia 36 for identifying the paran block 31 after the same has been produced on tissue sample 35 (Fig. 9).

Fig. 8 shows the carrier element 40 in modifled form. Instead of a frame 33, an extension 38 is provided at the upper end of upright plate 32a which may also be used as a handle to insert into or to remove element 40 from the apparatus I0. Otherwise the construction of carrier element 40 is identical with that of carrier element 30. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the carrier elements 30 may be placed in succession within the space conned by the side walls I4 and 2|, and end walls I8 and 20 to be supported by the upper bottom wall I0. Fig. 1 shows a plurality of carrier elements 3i), 30a, 30h, 35o and 30d on bottom wall I9.

Fig. 6 shows apparatus I0 inserted in tank 4| for a, purpose later described. In order to hold the apparatus walls together and in substantially tight relation, a clamp 42, such as illustrated in Fig. 5, may be used which has the slide plates 43, 44 having the perforated lugs 43a and 44a, respectively. Slide plates 43 and 44 are urged toward each other by spring means 45, 46 which may be contained within telescopically arranged sheathes (not shown). It is to be noted that the height of each of the slides 43, 44 is such that when placed for engagement with the outer surfaces of side walls I4 and 2|, the slides will cover the respective wall perforations or apertures I4a, I4b and 2|a, 2lb to obstruct the same entirely. It is well understood that the slide plates 43 and 44 may be further disposed along the outer surfaces of side walls I4 and 2| to either expose one of the rows of said apertures on each side wall or both rows of apertures for a purpose hereinafter described.

Fig. 6 shows clamp 42 in a position in which slide 44 uncovers the lower row of perforations 2| b in side walls 2|. As can be further seen in Fig. 6, elements 30a and 30h are arranged in such position with respect to each other that their respective base plates 3Ia and 3Ib substantially abut against each other at their forward ends or leaving only a very small space therebetween which may be considered negligible for the purpose of preparing paraffin blocks in accordance with this invention/ This arrangement will be used if the tissue sample is of considerable size and substantially larger than the base plate 3Ia or 3|b, as the case may be. Due to the particular disposition of the series of recesses I5, II and 22, 23 and the construction of the carrier elements having the pairs of projections 32a, 32h, the carrier elements may be placed in container I0, either in succession-as shown in Fig. 1 or successively and also in tandem relation (facing each other with their respective base plates).

It is well understood that the apparatus parts II, I2 and I3 may be easily assembled to form a container of such dimension to accommodate a plurality of tissue carriers which dene between the upright plates thereof compartments within said container, The apparatus parts may be :connected with each other in any other suitable Way for the purpose intended and they may be made from aluminum, stainless steel or from any other material, such as plastic or plastic compositions which is sumciently heat-conducting and heat-resistant (up to about C.) and which is resistant to the attack from alcohol or other hydro-carbons and acidic substances used during the steps of the process herein referred to.

The container I0 when in assembled condition and with its carriers loaded with respective tissue samples may be introduced into the tank 4I (Fig. 6) in order to carry out the steps of dehydration of the respective tissues with subsequent clearing ot said tissues, and iinally causing penetration thereof with melted paraffin. During these steps, the .clamp 42 is Apositioned at :a level of container l0 .at which the slides 43, '44 `permit passage of the respective uids .through the perforations Ma, Mb and 21a, 2lb of the side Walls into and out of the compartments of the container. the nal stage, the apparatus vHl is placed into another tank containing melted paraffin which fills the compartments to such an extent that .the respective tissue blocks of a desired height wm be obtained (Figs. 3 and :133, After the :duid parain has entered the respective compartments. the clamp 42 is lowered to obstruct the passage ways lila, Illb and 21a, 2lb to prevent the parafn from flowing out of the apparat-us. The con tainer is then placed into a further tank containing ice water, or may be placed into a cooling System to bring about quick solidication of the parain trapped within the respective compartments. After solidication of the paraffin the clamp 42 is removed from the apparatus and the latter is being disassembled to attain removal of the lparailin 'blocks from the carrier elements.

Since the respective carriers have indicia for identifying purposes. as hereinabove referred to. the tissue `blocks thus obtained may be handled without being confused as to the origin of the respective tissue samples embedded in the parafn blocks.

It will be seen from the above that the container I0 although having removable walls is of sturdy construction and clamp t2 brings about sufficient pressure on said walls to ensure tight fit of said walls when in assembled condition so that said container may be securely transferred from one tank to another during the steps of the process without substantially changing the location of the tissue samples within the respective compartments. Due to the interitting formations 32a, 32h of the carrier elements and recesses I6, Il and 22, 23 of the side walls of the container, the displacement of said carrier elements is effectively avoided and the walls of the container are braced against each other which, in turn, enhances the stability of the container,

It can thus be seen that there has been provided in accordance with this invention a novel apparatus for preparing a plurality of tissue blocks for histological purposes comprising a container having abutting walls, said walls of said container being removable from each other and including substantially parallel side walls and a bottom wall, a plurality of removable carrier elements having upright walls and adapted for positioning on said bottom wall, and sets of interiitting formations provided on said carrier elements and said side walls, respectively, to hold said carrier elements in position on said bottom wall, said carrier elements being adapted t0 carry tissue samples for preparing tissue blocks between adjacent upright walls of said carrier elements, said side walls being provided with perforations forming passageways for the introduction of treating matter for contact with said tissue samples when placed on said carrier elements.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the above invention, and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matters hereinbefore disclosed or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a. limiting sense.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed'asnew'and desired tobesecured by Letters Patent l. An apparatus .for preparing la plurality of tissue blocks for microscopic and similar examinations comprising :.a. container provided with parts relatively removable from each other, a plurality -of carrier elements having upright plate-s and base plates, said base vplates being adapted to rest on the bottom of said container, rst means provided on ksaid carrier elements, second means provided in predetermined container parts, said second meansbeing complementary to and. engageable with said rst means provided on said carrier .elements to therebyhold .the latter in position in said container-said base plates of said carrier elements being adapted Vto carry tissue samples for preparing tissue blocks vbetween adjacent upright plates yof said carrier elements, said container being provided with perforations forming passageways Vfor the `intro-duction of block forming matter for contact with said tissue samples, and slide Vmeans embracing said container and maintaining the same in assembled condition, said slide means being adapted to slide over said 'perforations toobstruct the same upon introduction of said block forming matter.

2. VAn `apparatus for preparingA a plurality of tissue blocks for microscopic and similar exam inations comprising a dismantleable container including bottom wall and two opposed said walls, a plurality of carrier elements in said container, each carrier element having an upright plate and a base plate, said base plates of said carrier elements positioned on the bottom wall of said container, interiitting formations, respectively, disposed on said upright plates of said carrier elements and on said opposed side walls within said container whereby said carrier elements are held in position in said container, said base plates of said carrier elements being adapted to carry tissue samples for incorporation in tissue blocks when positioned between adjacent upright plates of said carrier elements, said opposed side walls of said container being provided with passageways, whereby block-forming matter may be introduced into said container for contact with said tissue samples, and slide means on said container to obstruct said passageways upon introduction of said block-forming matter.

3. An apparatus for embedding simultaneously a plurality of tissue samples for histological and similar purposes in block-forming matter comprising a dismantleable container including bottom wall and two opposed side walls, a plurality of carrier elements in said container, each carrier element having an upright plate and a base plate, said base plates of said carrier elements positioned on the bottom wall of said container, interiitting formations, respectively, disposed on said upright plates of said carrier elements and on said opposed side walls within said container whereby said carrier elements are held in position in said container, said base plates of said carrier elements being adapted to carry tissue samples for incorporation in tissue blocks, passageways extending through said opposed side walls of said container and equally spaced at predetermined distance from the bottom of said container, whereby block-forming matter may be introduced into said container for contact with said tissue samples, and means slidably connected with and extending on said side walls of said container for regulating opening and closing of said passageways.

4. An apparatus for embedding simultaneously a plurality of tissue samples for histological and like purposes in block-forming matter comprising a container having a bottom wall and opposed side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, L-shaped elements each provided with an upright plate and a base plate, said base plates being positioned substantially in contact with one another on said bottom wall of said container, said container including passageways passing therethrough and permitting access of said blockforming matter to the interior of said container and for contact with said elements, identification means, respectively, provided on said elements to determine origin of said tissue samples when placed, respectively, on said base plates, said identification means being offset with respect to the surface of said elements so as to project into block-forming matter when the latter is applied to said tissue samples for forming tissue blocks, and means for opening and closing said passageways.

5. An apparatus for embedding simultaneously a plurality of tissue samples for histological and like purposes in block-forming matter comprising a dismantleable container having bottom wall and opposed side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, L-shaped elements each pro- 8', vided with an upright plate and a base plate, said base plates being positioned substantially in contact with one another on said bottom wall of said container, said upright plate being adapted to extend between said opposed side walls, passageways provided in said opposed side walls and passing therethrough for permitting access of said block-forming matter to the interior of said container and for contact with said elements, and means operable from without and arranged to slide on the surface of said opposed side walls for opening and closing said passageways. l

JOSEPH TANNENBERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 20 Number Name Date 839,812 Cooley Jan. 1, 1907 1,242,439 Henkle Oct. 9, 1917 1,440,105 Roiderer Dec. 26, 1922 1,512,905 Bunker Oct. 28, 1924 25 1,882,191 Purinton Oct. 11, 1932 2,296,016 Bostwick Sept. 15, 1942 2,367,822 Brown Jan. 23, 1945 

